"Have you found him!?"
"I heard he's at the east school building!"
"Hurry! Hurry! Lunch break is going to end soon!"
A group of female students ran through the lane where only bushes acted as the divider between it and the lawns. They were so enthusiastic that they even forgot some of them were just out of a quick shower or still wearing their P.E. uniform.
...well, there they go.
Shinkurou left the bushes shortly after his 'fans' vanished. He patted his sleeves and loosened his collar out of habit.
"Really. What the hell is up with those girls anyway?"
"Well, isn't that obvious? The Academy this time truly welcomed a genuine 2nd Male Pilot."
Hmm...? He looked to the right, finding a girl with blue hair and black thongs standing near him alongside another blue-haired girl but with a very modest, Princess-like uniform modification. It was way too frilly while the older one seemed to have some sort of preference with pantyhose.
The boy paused. How did they even sneak up under his defense? Or rather, those faces...
"The Sarashiki siblings huh? I thought the bond between you two isn't that strong to walk together like this." Shinkurou muttered as he looked around to double-check.
Hm... while faint, there's also another one around here. But the presence is weak, almost as if the person was sleeping while standing.
In any case, I can't let my guard down. Setting aside the younger one, this strongest IS user of the IS Academy is a trouble if I pushed the wrong button.
"Oh my, did people spread such outdated rumor?" The elder Sarashiki sibling pulled out a paper fan and unfolded it in front of her lower part of face.
The kanji written on it was 'INCORRECT'.
"But as you can see, we are as close as siblings could get." Tatenashi smirked with a wink as she cuddled her younger sister.
"Awa-wa-waah!? Onee-chan, st-stop it! This is embarrassing!"
Meanwhile, the younger Sarashiki was fervent red, and honestly showing her discomfort as she flailed in her sister's cuddle.
Ho...? Looks like my intel is indeed outdated. Well, rumors from faraway tend to be outstretched.
The Shinonono nodded. "I see. It's nothing then, or should I apologize?"
"It's fine~ But honestly, you're quite an enigma, Mr. Transfer Student."
Tatenashi smiled charmingly. In the context of 'full of seduction' with a trapdoor ready to be stepped on. Shinkurou could only scoff as he wasn't unfamiliar with such honeyed words.
"I wonder," He stated. "I didn't want to involve myself with a bunch of teenagers hot for new gossips materials."
He looked to the sideway in search of some ways to get out. But he didn't forget to glimpse over the duo; clearly seeing Tatenashi folding and unfolding her fan once again.
This time, the words 'EXCUSE ME' were written. How did she change the letters...
"Please spare them some of your thought. The Academy has just accepted the existence of a Male IS Pilot in about one year and a half, and everyone was quite disappointed when knowing Dunois-'kun' was actually Dunois-'chan'." The older Sarashiki sibling said.
Shinkurou tilted his head asking 'Is she a running gag reference here?' bluntly. For some reasons, he envisioned a certain France girl sneezing in discomfort, albeit he didn't even know why.
Meanwhile, the Strongest IS Pilot of the ISA chuckled. "Did you know? Rumors will only last for 77 days."
"Isn't it supposed to be 30 days?"
"My, is 7 not a lucky number? You will surely receive great reward if you struck 777 at a pachinko slot."
"..."
Shinkurou briefly considered in planting a hand on his face. Be that as it may, he'd fall for the obvious trap so he bit his molar, trying his damnedest to stop himself. Once the evil urge left his body, he heaved in and out, shaking his head as he showed a bitter expression.
"You know what? Let's set that stuff aside." He said with finality.
The fan was unfolded for the third time, revealing 'INDEED' written a la kanji painting.
How the hell did she write that in a matter of seconds!? Or rather, don't tell me she has more fans inside her sleeves!?
Shinkurou wanted to point out but he felt like he would lose if he did that. Choosing to vent out by blowing air from his nose, he crossed his arms.
"Like what you see now? I'd like to find a quiet place to eat my lunch."
Tatenashi beamed a wide smile it almost looked like a sly fox's smile. Correction, it IS a sly fox's smile.
"Actually, the two of us siblings here are going to eat lunch in the student council office! Would you like to join in, Shinkurou-kun?" Tatenashi Sarashiki offered.
For the obvious, her younger sibling was dumbfounded. "Uweeh!? O-onee-chan...!?"
Ignoring the innocent one here that seemed to get flustered by anything beyond her comfort zone, Shinkurou eyed the glimmer Tatenashi's eyes possessed for the briefest moment. And he understood it very soon.
...I just tripped myself, didn't I? Oh, how I wish I have Nesha around now...
"Yaaah... So you brought the new... stu... stu..?"
"Student."
Shinkurou corrected the girl in a onesie with a motif of a franchise mascot. He wasn't sure if the rules allowed students to wear slippers like this but he also saw several few modified uniforms, with most noticeable examples coming from the Representative Candidates.
He glanced back at Sarashiki Tatenashi. It's obvious what he wanted to say through his eyes and the president simply unfolded her fan.
'YES' the fan said, prompting the ashen-haired boy to have the urge for face-palming once again. This... damned Academy...!
"Well, this is Honne Nohotoke, our childhood friend and trusted bodyguard of the Sarashiki." Tatenashi lightly explained with a smile.
"...this narcoleptic ditz is?" Shinkurou pointed but the subject in question merely tilted her head with tired eyes.
"Hoee...? Is it fine to tell... him...?" The sleepy girl asked. Even her tone was so slow and dazed.
"Hn, Ichika-kun already know, and Shinkurou-kun seemed to have detected your presence earlier, Honne." Tatenashi quipped.
If she was sleepy before, now the narcoleptic girl raised her eyebrows, her tranquil demure disturbed by a slightly opened eye.
Oh...? She has... clear eyes.
For some reasons, Shinkurou judged her expression as is rather than reading between the lines. He stared and she stared back at him, as if exchanging conversation even though all they did was nothing but gazing at each other without explainable reason.
"...Ama...zing..."
...huh. Someone can be appreciative for once? Shinkurou widened his eyes if only a little bit. Then Honne Nohotoke yawned, turning and walking to the nearest sofa like a drunkard...
"Mm... If Prez says so..."
*Puff* Thus she went to the dreamland. Again.
"...talk about being super laidback. She's not even looking like a decent person." Shinkurou commented with mixed feelings. Either he should get upset or simply give up… even he wasn't sure now.
But the annoying paper fan held by the blue-haired girl unwrapped its wonders yet again. The word 'INCORRECT' was once again revealed.
"Even though she's like that, Honne is a very smart girl. Also, she's our closest friend since childhood so you shouldn't underestimate her, Shin-kun." Tatenashi reasoned, to which Shinkurou could only nod down as they watched Kanzashi scurrying to the corner, pulling out what seemed like a premium set lunch boxes.
Triple stacks? She probably planned this or... Wait. Shin-kun?
"You… what did you just…?"
"Ehe he…! It's a rule of the student council for the members to have a unique nickname!"
The Shinonono deadpanned at the SC president. She simply smiled and walked ahead to sit on her reserved seat that 'coincidentally' was next to her sibling.
Not only that, she moved her fan, this time folded, to nudge at him. The gesture was simple and holding no meaning, but… Great, as a 'common student', I guess I'm at her mercy right now... Wouldn't want a very influential clan like Sarashiki to hunt me down on my first day right?
Shinkurou exhaled as he obeyed and sat down. He situated himself right next to the younger Sarashiki sibling but–it seemed his action was unwelcomed.
"E-eh!?"
Now what…? He looked at a red-faced petite girl with something like a pair of metal fins on her head going up and down, much like a certain rabbit's ears. And her older counterpart just had to raise the fuss even further.
"Oh my, big sister is shocked. Shinkurou-kun, do you prefer the little sister rather than the older sister?"
Fortunately, it was a bearable remark with a logical answer as a strong counter. The ashen-haired boy raised a finger, eyes closed as he recited magic words.
"Don't trust adults, much less strangers when it's your first meeting."
Tatenashi knitted her brows as she pouted. "But Shin-kun, doesn't that mean you're the same in Kanzashi-chan's eyes?"
...that's… a good question. The boy looked at the bluenette and she yelped with red face. Embarrassment? No, is it just shyness or... nah. Not possible.
But he still had the need to ask. "Do you find me uncomfortable around?"
"Wha-wha-eh?! Huh, uh...! Tha-that's... no...?" Kanzashi answered and tilted her head at the end. It sounded more like a rhetorical question but…
Then it's fine, Shinkurou settled back like a king. He drew quite a perplexed response from both siblings and they exchanged their gazes for a moment.
Naturally, Shinkurou was aware of them doing that even if he closed his eyes. He expected them to act and all he heard was only a rustle of clothes.
"I guess so~" The older Sarashiki sibling chimed. "Now then, Kanzashi-chan! Let our guest savor the extravagant, exquisite lunch that makes the Sarashiki proud! At once!"
"Uh… Y-yes, Onee-chan!"
"Ooh~! Smells... delicious...!"
Shinkurou rolled his eyes at the two's antics. Oh, wait. Since when did the narcoleptic pajamas-clad... ah, yes. A childhood friend of a famous clan's daughters? Like hell I'd fall for that trick, you bodyguard with a duty settled from birth.
Of course, he wouldn't say anything to them. He was just fed up of stupid antics after all the craziness he had gone through when he got reacquainted with his adopted sister. He also still wasn't sure if it was a good thing to talk about this-and-that around these 'special' people…
But he also knew that the eyes are the windows of the souls. He didn't dislike these girls' eyes. They weren't treating him as celebrity or exotic animal, not hating him when he acted as he is, nor did they chide him for being 'a special existence' that could ride the warmachine his sister built. Just a normal view that he was him and nobody else.
If anything, Tatenashi was the only one out of the equation. She reminded him of Tabane too much with that smiley face and intonation. Hell, she mentioned I noticed her bodyguard so she found out way sooner than anyone else... I'd better keep my guards up when I'm around her and this Honne-person.
Lunch ended in quite a satisfying manner. Shinkurou reaffirmed as he remembered the taste of the premium set lunch box, handmade by Kanzashi.
"So, Shin-kun, how's it like?" Tatenashi asked with a mischievous grin no different to Cheshire cat's.
Unfortunately for him, he had no chance to lie. "It's the best thing I ever had for ten years."
The younger Sarashiki blushed at his words. She stuttered and said 'it's nothing special' but no matter what she said...
"I admit it is beyond palatable. Clearly, you have the skills and talent in cooking, Little Blue Bird." Shinkurou promptly gave her a nickname, one that he had to say out loud since a certain someone used her usual black ticket.
That made the glasses-wearing, frills dressed girl to be even more embarrassed. She began to spout some sort of gibberish things but mostly were her modesty that felt like it made her even smaller than before. Funny how she retorts to my praises by comparing herself with her sister. Still...
He nudged at Tatenashi and found her smiling wryly. With arms crossed under her chest, she raised her fan, unfolding it with a jerk of hand.
'CONGRATULATIONS!' Was written on it, confusing the ashen-haired boy. Before he could ask about the meaning, Tatenashi already chuckled and said.
"Umu. You've passed the test, Shinkurou-kun."
…I knew it. Shinkurou was ready to step back and flee but the older Sarashiki didn't let up.
"You don't look harmless despite your 'record' and rumors. Since I just heard that you literally jumped off the school building through the windows, I thought you were a bit gruff."
Ah... that. Shinkurou put a hand on his waist and exhaled.
"I just hate being asked by lots of people. It'd have been fine had they acted more civilized." Shinkurou said.
"Ufufu~ Don't worry, the girls will probably calm down after three months or so. That was the case even for Ichika-kun, but that's also because he readily answered or was pulled by his close friends almost every time."
That meant he literally had the backing of the entire Representative Candidates of his year. Then again, he's a typical goody-two-shoes, albeit more oblivious than average men.
I already know since his trails always resulted as hot topics at the underworld. The mercenaries I've met all always complained or exasperated since he showed poor performances as if he got no balls at all to fight for his life. It's fortunate that I don't really give a damn about 'equality' thing.
Shinkurou nodded twice. "So you decided to kill two birds by dragging me along. I won't thank you for diverting the students' attentions though."
"Oh my, big sister is hurt... I didn't do 'anything special', you know...?"
He was about to scoff but noticed Kanzashi was confused. From the looks of it, the younger one was in daze so...
Tch. She acted as a coincidental safety net to restrict my movement further. Well-played, President...
To think he was pulled in this sham, having debts in favor, giving out intel as well as testing if he would mean harms to the Academy... As expected of the Sarashiki.
No. I guess she's just THAT competent to be the next head of the family.
With all that cunning methods she had, she was like a water lily following the river current. No wonder why her IS too controlled water... It made Shinkurou to recognize her as both a potential enemy and a figure to look out for.
And mind you, there's no way he would respect her. Shinkurou was not going to pile praises even if he was truly beaten soundly. Or rather, praises weren't necessary as long as both sides acknowledged each other. That was one of the 'codes' he picked up after confronting so many hired arms from the most common to the insanely-eccentric-like-no-others.
"Seems like your title as the Strongest IS User of the ISA is not for show."
His afterthought said out loud, then he heard a shrill exclamation nearby. He stared at Kanzashi and she blinked her eyes twice. The narcoleptic ditz was still asleep so...
"Oh my my~ Did Shin-kun fall under big sister's charms? You can't do that." Tatenashi said.
"Haa?" Shinkurou frowned.
Her fan flipped open, hiding her lips and oddly enough, all the way to the cheeks. Then the girl glanced to the side as she whispered.
"After all, big sister's heart is already owned by someone else."
...
"...right... Whatever you say."
Shinkurou opted to remain passive to dodge the bullet. The last thing he wanted in this goddamn flower box was only one thing: Dealing with lovestruck maiden(s).
May the God reaps my soul instantly if someone here helplessly likes me after I beat the shit out of them or because I said sweet nothings in whim.
Today ended with the adopted sibling of the Genius IS Inventor going crestfallen. As he walked through the slightly rowdy but passable hallway, he was going to find his way to the dormitory and find his own room before eating dinner.
Now that I think about it, I heard each room is set for two occupants.
Shinkurou stopped at his track. Two occupants... in an all-female private school devoid of mass media's influence or political reasons. It meant no common law applied and the matrimonial sovereign was fully made only for women.
He realized the horror behind the news with one, loathsome, bloody fuckin' brilliant sentence: I'm going to cohabiting with a freaking teenage girl!?
"Oh, hell no! Don't tell me Chifuyu already did the room assignment...!"
He turned 180 degrees and ran back to the school in hope of catching the raven-haired HR teacher of his class. The boy was already fed up with the awe-inspired gazes from his classmates! As if I had enough limbs and time to spare for another third-rate skit!
However, as Shinkurou reached the faculty building and turned on a corner...
"Nha!?"
He didn't pay attention enough that cutting corners sharply always resulted in accidents. Regardless of them costing a life or not.
"Gah?!"
A loud crash reverberated with dull sound of flesh hitting the floor. Not only the suspect, even the victim crash landed.
Damn it...! How could I not be aware of someone THIS close!? What the hell happened to me?!
The ex-vagrant cursed in his head as he rubbed his nose. He even wondered of the possibility that Tabane truly experimented on him and picked off some of his nerves. At least nothing was broken but what about the one he crashed in to…?
I have a baaad feeling about this…
Just to be safe, he closed his eyes until only a speck of the scenery could be seen. He knew it was stupid but he was in a school where skirts are flaunted over, and the teachers comparing lessons with the size of underwear.
I'd rather die by committing suicide than be trampled as if I'm discriminated for being a male!
"Ow owoww... Geez, what was that all about...?"
Hm... the voice certainly sounded young. But somehow, there was a certain tone that only ditzy characters in anime would speak of.
Much to his defense, Shinkurou didn't know anything about popular, modern culture but he kept track of the news media while in Japan... it was hard to find no trace of the sophisticated arts that boomed ever since the day Ukiyoe was born. Hokusai did a very excellent job in popularizing the art style all the way to the Europe and the world.
"Eh? Ah, you are...?"
He heard a shrill gasp before something gibberish like radio broadcast jammed by poor signal. As the mutterings ended, he slowly opened his eyes and...
"Huh?" Shinkurou let out a dumb sound.
It was a green-haired teacher with glasses, yellow blouse with contrasting light pink undergarment that, for some reasons or the other—exposed her cleavage a bit too wide.
What's more - she's got huge knockers that probably matched Chifuyu's or Tabane's if not winning by a decent margin away.
Even for a Hermit like Shinkurou who avoided interacting with others during the past ten years had to make sure he wasn't seeing things, and that he was most assuredly, in reality. A reality that he oh-so-wanted to escape due to the sheer madness that may encroach his sanity and... well, fun fact: He has no self-restraint if push came to shove.
For once, the ex-vagrant questioned himself whether he was somewhere in the netherworld where succubi ruled the land or a red light district in kabuki-cho. At least the latter was more logical and he could just hit it off with some boozes, get wasted, pay some money then have a nice ol' one-night stand.
"Erm... Shinonono... kun?" Then came the fearful voice.
"...what is it?" He braved himself to ask back.
He hoped she wasn't going to sue him. Please, anything but the annoying, irresponsible court judges—
"Behind you is..."
Huh!? For the fucking third time, Shinkurou was unable to sense foreign presence until the last second.
How!? Why…!? Don't tell me…!
It was pretty obvious that he was at wit's end so he turned around, his head rotating as if trying to break his neck—
*POFF* His face flew through something akin to a layer of fabric before hitting something soft. Also warm.
...
"Nha...! Wha...!?"
...that voice...
Shinkurou raised his hand as he probed his way through the sudden darkness. It then touched something soft, circular, warm, and also had texture that felt like a high-grade feather cushion.
"Wha…!?"
...ah. This pattern...
"Y-y-you... You...!"
Pulling his hands away from the source of the voice, Shinkurou's head brushed back the layer of soft fabric that he could certainly smell a distinct flower's scent. Camellia…? Well, fuck…
He finally looked up—only to find one Houki Shinonono burning in wrath.
The boy looked up and down, judging from the angle and the place his head was shoved into...
Oh, how hath the Hell Gate been opened... Still…
"On my defense, don't sneak up behind me."
Everyone (minus one) heard something snapped. Houki's eyes shone with bright red as she raised her right arm, the shinai she possessed as a kendo practicioner flying out from its comfy sheath to strike down like Zeus' divine thunder.
"Divine punishment!"
Needless to say, there was a huge chaos rocking the faculty building. With one casualty counted and one useless teacher being unable to prevent the incident from escalating.
-Author's Rambling-
See here folks, I'm not going to post anything for at least two weeks to focus myself on finals. Since my poor performance is probably affecting my outcome this semester, I'd like to at least raise my scores even if a bit with the weight final always carried with it. Anyway, I've got nothing to say again except Shinkurou is inadvertantly talking(?) with his other sister for the first time(?).
Not that he should care when he destroyed everything apart from the get-go. Falling on his butt then turning around while in that position, in an Academy where the students are encouraged to wear miniskirts...
GG, Ro-kun.
Even with Houki's uptight personality, the common standard is sadly inadequate in my eyes. Maybe it's the norm there but this is what happens when you're a male in a boarding school environment exclusively for girls. Their awareness are just that low, and it will get worse for our Crow Rider. Heh... he he he he...